Hopkins accepts Calzaghe's challenge for final reckoning

Bernard Hopkins, the world's No1 light- heavyweight, says he "would love" to step into the ring with Joe Calzaghe for what may be the final fight of the undefeated Welshman's career.

Calzaghe called for a meeting with the light-heavyweight after drawing a crowd of more than 50,000 to the Millennium Stadium to see his points victory over Mikkel Kessler in the world super-middleweight title unification match at the weekend. The 42-year-old Hopkins responded last night by saying he would be willing to face him. "I would love to entertain his request to fight Bernard Hopkins," the American said. "I think he understands now and [promoter] Frank Warren understands that he needs that final stamp of approval from the American boxing writers and the fans.

"He doesn't have that name of that elite opponent from America on his resumé.Bernard Hopkins is the guy that Calzaghe and Frank Warren believe they have to defeat to get that stamp of approval over here in America."

Hopkins says it is "impossible" that he would cross the Atlantic for the fight and has told Warren to back up his claim that Hopkins could "name the site". He would like to follow in the steps of Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis and take on Calzaghe at New York's Yankee Stadium. "He said he would fight me anywhere. I have no interest in going there. Why do I have to go? He has to bring his butt here to fight the living legend Bernard Hopkins. We know he can do well in Britain but step out of your neighbourhood."

Calzaghe is well aware that Hopkins, the world's top-ranked middleweight for a decade before twice losing to Jermaine Taylor in 2005, would not be interested in fighting in Cardiff. "I have to be realistic. Yes, it would be great to pack out the Millennium again but I don't think he's going to come here. It may mean going to somewhere like Madison Square Garden which would be a fantastic way for me to end my career," said Calzaghe before Hopkins made clear his intentions last night.

"It's all about money. But hopefully Hopkins will do it if the figures add up. I know after the weekend that I have been elevated on to another level. When I beat Jeff Lacy last year, people were saying he was nothing after the fight, even though it was only my performance that had made him look so bad. Hopefully people are convinced about me now.

"If I fight Hopkins, it may not be a great fight because he is a crafty old fighter with cute defence. But who gives a shit? It would be a massive event and the public would love to see it. I will fight anywhere, if the money is right.

Warren's friend Jay Larkin, the former head of Showtime Television, will be asked to negotiate with HBO, the company that now dominates television coverage in the US, and Hopkins' promoters, Golden Boy, over the feasibility of the match and the money required to make it happen.

Warren tried to make a deal to stage a fight between them four years ago, and believed he had made an agreement with all parties. "We had everybody's word on it, including Don King who was Hopkins' promoter at the time. But then 24 hours later Hopkins doubled his financial demands, so the fight was off. This fight can happen if Joe is paid properly. Hopkins has to realise that he does not get all the money and that he needs Joe. But Joe could fight several other people."

It now seems certain Calzaghe will relinquish his three super-middleweight belts, which may give Kessler the opportunity to fight for the title, possibly against Carl Froch. The Nottingham fighter will defend his British title at the weekend against the former world champion Robin Reid and is now ranked in the top 10 by the major sanctioning bodies.

The BBC said last night it had reached an agreement with Setanta to show full highlights of Calzaghe's next fight after the Irish broadcaster had screened the bout live.